M. DECKS AND PORCHES
FCHOA Purchaser's Handbook - Revision Date: 2021-01-10
1. Vertical pickets or Chippendale style rails shall be used on screen porches to add a more traditional appearance and help the screen porch tie architecturally into the main part of the house.
2. As an alternative, the ARC may approve specific porch detailing that is substantial in size and proportion. For example, eight-inch columns with capital and base trim and deep overhang trim may be sufficient detailing to omit standard screen pickets. The ARC offers the following suggestions to help minimize visual obstruction. First, screen pickets are only required from the handrail height down. The height of the handrails need not be more than 30 inches, unless otherwise required by code. Second, the pickets can be made of 2x2 materials rather than 2x4 or 4x4. Third, pickets can be spaced 4 inches apart unless otherwise required by code. To help minimize maintenance, screens can be paneled so that repairs can be made on one panel instead of the entire screen porch.
3. Decks and porches with floors 12 inches or more above grade shall have the inside foundation area screened from view by brick or lattice, with landscaping, unless the under story is finished with windows or doors. Actual design of the lattice should be shown on the elevation and how the lattice will be framed. Any open span of 12” inches or taller between the ground level and the rear deck/building structure, including beneath any stairs will require appropriate screening with lattice. Lattice may be kept natural or may be painted white only. All lattice must be kept clean and in good aesthetic appearance. Typical lattice styles such as vertical or horizontal style lattice may not be used in heights requiring screening taller than 4’ feet. The ARC will reserve the right to require a particular style, color and/or additional screening thru plantings based on the overall architectural aesthetic of the home. If the deck/porch is high enough to allow a finish floor below with windows or doors, the framing and column support shall be detailed with the following standards:
a. Framing: The finish dimensions of horizontal framing (band boards) exposed to view shall be a minimum of approximately 10 inches wide. The skirt board below an elevated porch Band Board may be scalloped to approximately 7 inches wide.
b. Columns/Vertical Support: Brick/columns with an outside dimension of at least 12 inches are recommended. Wooden exterior columns shall have a finished outside dimension of a minimum of 10 inches with capital and base trim applied.
4. All Pergolas, deck rails, pickets, porch rails, guard rails, band boards, and stringers shall be painted or solid-stained white, off-white, or a color to match the trim. The color “Cliffside Gray” is available as a solid stain and is acceptable to the ARC. Floors, foundation supports, and lattice screening may remain natural. Support beams and post for decks should also be painted or solid stained in an approved color unless screened from view by lattice.
5. For decks or screen porches that are converted to a sunroom, the majority of the wall area shall be glass as approved by the ARC. Glass in gables shall be limited to traditional window forms. The sunroom shall be constructed on a solid masonry foundation. Architectural elements such as cornice detail, window and door trim shall match the style of the same elements on the existing home. In addition, traditional trim in the form of columns or pilasters with cap and base trim shall be typically required. Window proportion, spacing and trim details shall have traditional proportions compatible with the style of the house and consistent with the Design Intent of Ford’s Colony. All exterior finish materials and colors shall match the existing home.
6. Floor to ceiling screening applications that function like windows, such as the brand “Eze-Breeze” panels, will require an application to be submitted to the Architectural Review Committee for review prior to installation. If the columns on the rear porch are less than 8” inches, and without top/base detailing, then railings and pickets on the inside of the porch must remain or must be installed. For columns that are at least 8” and larger, no railings are required but the screened panels must be inset from the columns at a minimum, half the width of the column installed. For example, if the column is 8” x 8” in size, the panels must be inset a minimum of 4” inches. The result is more depth and dimension to the architectural harmony. A waiver for railings and pickets may be considered if the Eze-Breeze panels include strips to reduce the panel width to 10 inches or less for the appearance of a traditional divided glass window.